Show GINGER I By Bryon J Stlllma It was Military day at the post nnd Ginger had started In a field with Sill others ° nn Bianco race to Silver City and return with poor show of a place against the younger horses of tho officers So thought those Interested In tho race but Chester Miles figured It out differentlyhe know more of Gingers pedigree and of his staying qualities Im afraid Old Ginger has too much seasoning Miles spoke an army of fleer when they were preparing for the race Dont lot him get a hotbox shouted another I lIes all right for the ginger breds or for The Gingerbread Man but hes out of his class cried a third Youll bo Miles behind Chester said a punster Chester Miles cowboy and miner smiled at the comments showered upon him and his horse but he bad confidence In Gingers staying propensities propen-sities and ho was going to prove it to the smart set of Central and to the 1 post Ten years before Ginger had brought Chester Miles across the states to New Mexico and Chester know his strong qualities and his powers pow-ers of endurance Many times also he and his faithful horse had made journeys that gave him confidence In entering him for the event He had ridden him In several short dashes at previous army races but had always como out a bad loser Now he was anxious to make good Military day was a great day at the postn yearly holiday of much Importance giving pleasure to both soldier and citizen Extra provisions were made for their comfort and entertainment en-tertainment a grand stand had been erected on the wide campus near the town and It afforded the spectators specta-tors a good view of the sports Before mounting for the race Miles had an Interview with Ginger Ho threw his arms about the horses neck and spoke to him meditatively You are going to run the race of your life old boy and If you win there will bo two loving arms go round our necks before many days way back In dear old Kentucky It we lose well well have to fight It out here till we can make a strike and get back home So If you want to eat some bluegrass show them that you still have some blue blood In your veinsby winning this race Ginger seemed to know what was expected of him for he had shown horsesense at many critical times in the past He pricked up his ears as if he realized his responsibilities The start was made with Ginger far In the rear Turn him round Ches bos a chestnut in more ways than one some one shouted a horsechestnut Up Ole canyon the horses soon disappeared dis-appeared from view and the spectators I specta-tors turned to minor events that took up their time and interest As the time approached for the horses to return and the first echo came to the audience of their wild race down the gorge a breathless silence si-lence fell over tho waiting pleasure seekers Suddenly a low murmur like the faint echo of falling waters scarcely audible told them of the approaching horses Now they become recognizable eager eyes are scanning the distance to see the foremost rider The officer with the glass shouts Hurrah Its Old Ginger Can It be possible Yes its Ginger Hurrah for Gin err g Dont flunk now old boss Blue blood tells In horses If It dont count for much In the human By ginger If It aint Ginger A bag of dust on Ginger Come uf with your buckskin These and other exclamations came freely rapidly Faster and faster and faster came the riders down the narrow road at moments hidden from view by the dust encircling them In their mad pace Gray clouds were quickly formed by the horses hoofs They were nearIng near-Ing the finish Ginger forges farther ahead ho comos down the homestretch home-stretch like an automatic figure movIng mov-ing with clockwork regularity Miles doesnt use the spursthere Is no need of urging his horse Ginger had learned his lesson well years ago In old Kentucky all that his rider and owner had to do was to sit and watch With wild enthusiasm his success the people saw horse and horseman dash past the wire and finish a rod nearest contestant a ahead of their race that was a seven days wonder to tho mining town of Central New Mexico Thnts why things wero flying in the air Old Ginger the town horse the made up by had won the purse soldiers miners and townsmen And one too a generous enthusiasm was soon But their of Ginger hushed by the conduct started to lead him As Chester r some l could see there was something I some-thing Ginger was wavfir the matter thing trembled and his whole form lug his shook knees as If with ague Then the winner sank to tho ground as if i paralyzed par-alyzed tried to got him to his feet Miles but Ginger had made his last again at his master as lie looked stand e When those loving arms 1 to round say you back ThenOho Ken lucky gn think youIn Then he rolled at bls owners feet over the race of his life Ginger bad won and it bad cost him that too |